Wander

Wander leads you on a literary adventure in downtown Austin. Choose from four stories written by local authors, each starting at the Beacon (the big red sculpture you're probably standing in front of right now). Each chapter of the story presents you with a choice of where to go next, and what happens next. Along the way, you'll discover new and interesting spots in the city.

Begin by selecting a story below.

Time Machine Freak Out!

by Lucas Schaeferillustrated by Brockett Davidson

Austin, Texas is in crisis! A time machine is on the fritz in the middle of the city, sending unsuspecting Austinites into the past or the future against their will. Worse still, the machine’s inventor has disappeared, so no one knows how to turn it off.

Tinaus

by Janalyn Guoillustrated by Hallie Rose Taylor

You always thought there was something weird about the beacon, like it was watching you. Well, you were right. One day, as you are leaving the library, you notice that the beacon is following you. Its shadow lurks before you, unchanging, as you move. You turn around quickly. The beacon, which is towering over you now, draws you into its center and seals you in, transporting you somewhere far away from home.

The Lost Bowie Silver

by Jessica Topacio Longillustrated by Matt Rebholz

You make your way down the sidewalk, oblivious to the clamor of morning traffic and the pedestrians around you. Your smartphone is open to the Maps application, which you are using to navigate to yet another bank. For weeks you have been trying to secure a loan, but every bank has rejected you. For mature readers.

Wander needs access to your location in order to work. When requested, please allow access.ContinueYour location can't be determined. Wander needs access to your location in order to work. Please see this page for help with location services: Location services are unavailable. Wander only works with devices that have location services enabled.Location update failed. Give it a minute and hopefully it will fix itself.Unknown error with location services.It looks like you've tried this story before. Would you like to start where you left off?No, start overYes, continueMaking a different choice here means that the locations you unlocked after this point will again be locked, and your story will follow a new path. Ready to change history?NoYesYou've made it to [location], alright! It looks like your device is having trouble telling exactly where you are. Don’t worry about it for now, but if it keeps happening, you’ll have to use a different device, or wander again later.Understood.It looks like the story won't load. Please contact us and let us know.OkBack toBack to Front PageChosen locationYour next location isOpen navigationClose navigation